By Thelma Leonard

The 2023 Western Women’s Rugby League competition has kicked off with the Castlereagh Cougars squads hosting the Bathurst Platypi In Coonabarabran on Saturday 23rd of September. All 5 teams, U12s through to Opens, competed on the day.

First up was the youngest of the lot, the Under 12s. With other events clashing, the 12s played short with only 11 players and Bathurst matching on the field. The Platypi side proved too strong for the Cougars, winning 42-8.

The Under 14s had no trouble with numbers, rocking a full bench for their game. There were some big hits displayed between the 2 sides, Castlereagh edging the visitors out, victors with a 24-12 scoreline.

The next game in the Under 16s was another big hitter with some fiery displays on the field and girls getting sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. The Cougars on top and claiming the 2 competition points with a 4 point difference, 30-26.

The Under 18s were another side to struggle with numbers this round, fortunately they had some assistance from some U16s girls backing up. This match was too close to call with both sides putting an impressive 30 points each on the board and going away with one competition point each after tying the game.

The Opens had a task ahead of them, coming up against a strong Platypi side. The Cougars played well with some new faces this year but unfortunately couldn’t shut the visitors down, Bathurst scoring 60 points to Castlereagh’s 10. 

After the October Long weekend bye, the Cougars will travel this week to Dubbo for round 2 against the Goannas.